I have had the lovely experience of studying Integrative health at Front Range since Spring of last year (2023). I will finish my Health and Wellness coaching certificate this semester, and then continue working on my Integrative Health Careers degree! Many of you know my mom, Jess, who has also been getting coach-certified with me! 

This August I will be taking part in a new journey, traveling in my 1978 Chevy Camper van across America. I hope to meet a ton of amazing people on the road, and temporarily work with my coaching clients via Zoom. A few of my passions include dance, travel, music (especially rock), animals, cultivating meaningful relationships, and most importantly caring for seniors. 

Papa, who I considered my best friend growing up, sadly passed away as a result of Alzheimer's Disease in 2010. Nanny, my favorite person on earth, still lives in Nebraska. She like many seniors, has unfortunately experienced quite a bit of loneliness and social isolation, which has affected her overall wellbeing. I was interested to see how these two unfortunate yet common senior experiences may tie together. 

Meanwhile, healthy lifestyle changes have been associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease and improved symptoms!

 From first to last breath, social connection is needed for overall health and well-being. 

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF): Important role in cognition and memory. Aids in the survival, growth, and function of neurons. The BDNF gene expression can be found in the cortex, hippocampus, and basal fore-brain regions. 

Article 2: ‘Impact of Social Relationships on Alzheimer’s Memory Impairment: Mechanistic Studies’

Social isolation is a major source of mental and psychosocial stress, which contributes to the increased prevalence of neurological diseases.  

Looking at the animal model of AD: Rodent studies show that social isolation worsens memory deficit. 

• Memory declines after 6 months

• Socially isolated cages, decline memory as early as 3 months

Social Interaction increases Alzheimer's patient's memory by increasing BDNF expression:

BDNF levels are lower in AD patients. Decreased BDNF contributes to cognitive decline. Among 3294 participants, those with more companionship had higher serum BDNF levels and reduced risk for dementia. 

Growing evidence suggests that both humans and mice have a higher risk of developing AD if lonely or isolated.

Article 1: The Role of Oxytocin in Alzheimer’s Disease and Its Relationship with Social Interaction

Though the exact correlation between OXT and AD is still unclear, studies using the AD-mice model show that OXT alleviates cognitive impairment. 

This article shares, a study with AD patients. AD patients had lower OXT concentration than healthy controls. In the patients, OXT concentration and OXT signal values were altered in the brain areas involved in cognitive functioning 

Article 2: Oxytocin reverses Aβ-induced impairment of hippocampal synaptic plasticity in mice

Scientists found that oxytocin may reverse the effects of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides in the hippocampus of mice. 

Amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides: Component of the amyloid plaques found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. 

Frequency—daily, weekly, monthly

Intensity—quality of interactions

Time—duration of interaction

Type—experience/activity

One area of focus: Look at social engagement as a way to enhance well-being

I plan to be a Health and Wellness coach primarily for seniors. I want to do this exclusively in person, to create social engagement.

I want to offer group coaching experiences to encourage social connections among seniors. I am also thinking of becoming Group Fitness certified.

Junpei Takahashi a 1, a, 1, b, Highlights•Aβ25–35 decreased hippocampal LTP.•Oxytocin reversed the Aβ25–35–induced impairment of hippocampal LTP.•ERK phosphorylation is involved in the effect of oxytocin on LTP.•Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors are involved in the effect of oxytocin on LT, AbstractAimOxytocin, Sweeney, W. A., Nitta, A., Chen, Q. S., Townsend, M., Purkey, A. M., Díaz-Cabiale, Z., Bale, T. L., & Tomizawa, K. (2020, May 29). Oxytocin reverses AΒ-induced impairment of hippocampal synaptic plasticity in mice. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006291X20307725

Martino, J., Pegg, J., & Frates, E. P. (2015, October 7). The connection prescription: Using the power of social interactions and the deep desire for connectedness to empower health and Wellness. American journal of lifestyle medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6125010/#:~:text=History%20of%20Connection%20as%20a%20Basic%20Human%20Need&text=As%20Maslow%20describes%20it%2C%20feeling,in%20the%20self%2Dactualization%20process.

Ng, T. K. S., Ho, C. S. H., Tam, W. W. S., Kua, E. H., & Ho, R. C.-M. (2019, January 10). Decreased serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in patients with alzheimer’s disease (AD): A systematic review and meta-analysis. International journal of molecular sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6358753/#:~:text=BDNF%20also%20induces%20hippocampal%20long,by%2033%25%20%5B9%5D

Sherzai, D., Sherzai, A., Sherzai, A., Lifestyle intervention and Alzheimer disease. (2022). https://lifestylemedicine.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ACLM-Article-Lifestyle-Intervention-Alzheimers.pdf

Takahashi, J., Yamada, D., Nagano, W., & Saitoh, A. (2023, October 10). The role of oxytocin in Alzheimer’s disease and its relationship with social interaction. Cells. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10604997/